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United States Patent |
5,330,212
|
Gardner
|
July 19, 1994
|
Collapsible wheeled carrier for duck and goose decoys and the like
Abstract
Presented is a wheeled carrier defining a nacelle within which may be
carried articles to be transported, such as duck and goose decoys. The
carrier includes a main frame joined by a bottom frame structure to form
the nacelle. Wheel assemblies are pivotally mounted on the main frame and
may be attached or detached from the bottom frame structure for use or for
storage.
Inventors:
|
Gardner; William (940 Hazel Ave., Campbell, CA 95008)
|
Appl. No.:
|
003792 |
Filed:
|
January 13, 1993 |
Current U.S. Class: |
280/40; 280/47.24; 280/652; 280/659 |
Intern'l Class: |
B62B 001/20 |
Field of Search: |
280/40,9,38,39,651,652,659,43,47.18,47.21,47.24,43.1
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2183066 | Dec., 1939 | Fields.
| |
3073614 | Jan., 1963 | Zinneman.
| |
3222100 | Dec., 1965 | Lindzy | 280/47.
|
3913762 | Oct., 1975 | Alexander | 280/47.
|
4045040 | Aug., 1977 | Fails.
| |
4373737 | Feb., 1983 | Cory.
| |
4705280 | Nov., 1987 | Burns | 280/40.
|
4728244 | Mar., 1988 | Stokkendal.
| |
4789180 | Dec., 1988 | Bell | 280/652.
|
4790559 | Dec., 1988 | Edmonds | 280/659.
|
4806063 | Feb., 1989 | York.
| |
4822065 | Apr., 1989 | Enders | 280/40.
|
5028060 | Jul., 1991 | Martin | 280/39.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
2743361 | Apr., 1978 | DE | 280/652.
|
190668 | Dec., 1922 | GB | 280/40.
|
Primary Examiner: Mitchell; David M.
Assistant Examiner: Hoge; Gary C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leavitt; John J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A collapsible wheeled carrier for normally rollably transporting
articles, comprising:
a) A main frame including a pair of laterally spaced elongated members;
b) a bottom frame structure joined to said main frame and with said main
frame defining a nacelle within which articles to be transported may be
retained; and
c) a pair of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted on said main frame and
detachably engageable to said bottom frame structure to retain said wheel
assemblies normally in position of use and selectively detachable
therefrom to enable pivotal displacement of said wheel assemblies to
collapsed positions of disuse for storage or transport of said wheeled
carrier;
d) each said wheel assembly of said pair thereof including a bearing sleeve
pivotally mounted on an associated one of said elongated side members, a
gusset structure secured to said pivotal bearing sleeve and pivotal
therewith about said associated side member, a bifurcated fork fixed to
said gusset structure on the end thereof remote from said bearing sleeve,
a wheel/tire assembly detachably mounted on said bifurcated fork, and
means on each said gusset structure adjacent said bifurcated fork thereon
for detachable engagement with said bottom frame structure to retain said
wheel assemblies in position of use.
2. The collapsible wheeled carrier according to claim 1, wherein said
gusset structure is triangular having a base welded to said bearing sleeve
and an apex end remote therefrom, said means on each gusset structure for
detachable engagement with said bottom structure comprising a threaded
rotatable flange, and complementarily threaded bosses on said bottom frame
structure selectively engageable by said threaded rotatable flanges.
3. A collapsible wheeled carrier for normally rollably transporting
articles, comprising:
a) a main frame including a pair of laterally spaced elongated side
members;
b) a bottom frame structure joined to said main frame and with said main
frame defining a nacelle within which articles to be transported may be
retained; and
c) a pair of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted on said main frame and
detachably engageable to said bottom frame structure to retain said wheel
assemblies normally in position of use and selectively detachable
therefrom to enable pivotal displacement of said wheel assemblies to
collapsed positions of disuse for storage or transport of said wheeled
carrier;
d) said bottom frame structure comprising a pair of chassis frames
conjoined medianly of said main frame and extending in the direction of
opposite ends of said elongated side members; and
e) each of said chassis frames possessing a trapezoidal configuration
sharing a common base rail, and side rails on each chassis frame
converging from said base rail toward an end rail remote from said base
rail.
4. A collapsible wheeled carrier for normally rollably transporting
articles, comprising:
a) a main frame including a pair of laterally spaced elongated side
members;
b) a bottom frame structure joined to said main frame and with said main
frame defining a nacelle within which articles to be transported may be
retained; and
c) a pair of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted on said main frame and
detachably engageable to said bottom frame structure to retain said wheel
assemblies normally in position of use and selectively detachable
therefrom to enable pivotal displacement of said wheel assemblies to
collapsed positions of disuse for storage or transport of said wheeled
carrier;
d) said bottom frame structure comprising a pair of chassis frames
conjoined medianly of said main frame and extending in the direction of
opposite ends of said elongated side members;
e) said pair of chassis frames sloping away from their conjoined union
medianly of said main frame and diverging from said main frame in the
direction of opposite ends of said elongated side members.
5. A collapsible wheeled carrier for normally rollably transporting
articles, comprising:
a) a main frame including a pair of laterally spaced elongated side
members;
b) a bottom frame structure joined to said main frame and with said main
frame defining a nacelle within which articles to be transported may be
retained;
c) a pair of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted on said main frame and
detachably engageable to said bottom frame structure to retain said wheel
assemblies normally in position of use and selectively detachable
therefrom to enable pivotal displacement of said wheel assemblies to
collapsed positions of disuse for storage or transport of said wheeled
carrier;
d) said bottom frame structure including a base rail extending transverse
to and below said main frame, and said pair of wheel assemblies are
normally detachably secured to opposite ends of said base rail when in
position of use; and
e) threaded bosses are provided on opposite ends of said base rail, and
complementarily threaded rotatable flanges are provided on said wheel
assemblies selectively engageable with said threaded bosses to detachably
retain said wheel assemblies in position of use and selectively detachable
from said threaded bosses to effect collapse of said carrier.
6. A collapsible wheeled carrier for normally rollably transporting
articles, comprising:
a) a main frame including a pair of laterally spaced elongated side
members;
b) a bottom frame structure joined to said main frame and with said main
frame defining a nacelle within which articles to be transported may be
retained; and
c) a pair of wheel assemblies pivotally mounted permanently on said main
frame and detachably engageable to said bottom frame structure to retain
said wheel assemblies normally in postion of use and selectively
detachable therefrom to enable pivotal displacement of said wheel
assemblies to collapsed positions of disuse for storage or transport of
said wheeled carrer;
d) said bottom frame structure including a base rail extending transverse
to and below said main frame, and said pair of wheel assemblies normally
detachably secured to opposite ends of said base rail when in position of
use.
7. The collapsible wheeled carrier according to claim 6, wherein said main
frame comprises a generally rectangular quadrilateral, and integral
extensions of said laterally spaced elongated side members constitute
handles to facilitate manipulation of the carrier.
8. The collapsible wheeled carrier according to claim 6, wherein said
bottom frame structure comprises a pair of chassis frames conjoined
medianly of said main frame and extending in the direction of opposite
ends of said elongated side members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to carrier vehicles, and more particularly to a
collapsible wheeled carrier that may conveniently be handled by one person
in both its extended and collapsed form.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A preliminary patentability and novelty search has indicated the existence
of the following United States patents:
______________________________________
2,183,066 3,073,614
4,045,040
4,373,737 4,728,244
4,806,063
______________________________________
It requires only a cursory review of the above-listed patents to show that
the structure, function, and mode of operation of the invention forming
the subject matter hereof is significantly different from the structures
illustrated and described in the noted patents.
Referring to the above-listed patents in the order of their issuance, it is
noted that U.S. Pat. No. 2,183,066 is directed to a two-wheel hand cart in
the nature of a wheel barrow, but provided with a frame pivotally mounted
on two handle bars in a manner to enable maintaining the frame relatively
horizontal with respect to the surface over which the cart is wheeled
simply by manipulation of one of the handle bars. The frame is utilized
for carrying a game carcass, but is not collapsible to enable the cart to
be easily carried on the top of an automobile, or to be submerged in a
body of water so that it cannot be seen from the air.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,614 discloses a combination game cart and chair, and
has the advantage that it can be easily disassembled to facilitate
transport. However, the structure is not constructed in a manner to enable
quick and easy collapse of the structure while still completely assembled
as is true with respect to the invention forming the subject matter
hereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,040 discloses a wheeled game carrier structure, which
can be connected to a back pack worn by a hunter so as to trail the
wheeled carrier while the hunter wearing the back pack walks from one
location to another. When desired, the carrier frame may be converted to a
four-legged tripod-like stand having a seat at its upper end formed by the
back pack, and on which a hunter may sit while watching for the approach
of game, such as deer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,737 relates to a game carrier that comprises simply a
pair of parallel telescoping members which may be collapsed for storage,
or which may be telescopically extended for use in carrying game. A pair
of wheels are mounted on one end of the telescoping rail members to
facilitate the transport of game.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,244 is directed to a structure that functions both as a
roof rack for securement to an automobile for the purpose of carrying
equipment, such as bicycles, and as a two-wheeled cart when off-loaded
from the roof of an automobile and reassembed into a two-wheeled cart. It
requires only a cursory review of this patented structure to show that
there is very little resemblance in structure, function or mode of
operation with the subject matter of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,063 relates to a portable wild game hoist adapted to be
attached to the rear portion of a vehicle having a conventional trailer
hitch. The purpose stated is to facilitate skinning and dressing game at
the kill site, rather than having to laboriously pack the carcass to some
other location for this purpose.
All of the devices illustrated and described in the patents noted above
appear to be limited in their structure and mode of operation to carrying
heavy game, such as deer or elk. None of the structures depicted by these
patents appear to relate to a wheeled carrier cart that may be collapsed
while entirely assembled so as to facilitate loading of the decoy laden
cart on the roof structure of a vehicle, and then enable off-loading of
the laden cart, extension of the wheels to enable transport of the duck
decoys to a place of use, and subsequent collapse of the wheels in
relation to the frame to enable submersion of the entire structure in a
pond so as to hide the structure from overflying game fowl attracted by
the decoys.
Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is the provision of a
light-weight wheeled cart that is collapsible while fully assembled to
enable the wheeled cart to be transported on a vehicle in collapsed
condition, or extended to enable use of the wheels to transport decoys to
the place of use, and to then enable collapse of the wheels while still
attached to the structure to enable submersion of the entire structure
below the surface of a body of water.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a wheeled decoy cart
that is fabricated to provide a frame having a nacelle within which up to
150 duck decoys, or 200 goose decoys may be carried, and which may also
contain such items as an ice chest, food, guns, clothing and waders.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a collapsible
wheeled decoy cart that is fabricated from light-weight metal tubing and
is provided with a pair of wheels that are centered longitudinally on the
frame so as to enable easy handling of the cart by one person over various
types of terrain or water.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a wheeled duck
or goose decoy cart that may be loaded on the ground, then with its wheels
retracted, slid onto a vehicle rooftop, to serve temporarily as a storage
rack while being transported to the location of use, whereupon it may be
unloaded, while fully laden with decoys, by sliding the cart partially off
the rooftop, extending and locking the wheels, then lowering the wheeled
cart with wheels extended onto the ground so that it may be wheeled to the
field or body of water, where the decoys may be offloaded and distributed,
the wheels collapsed, and the cart camouflaged in the field or submerged
in the water to hide it from overflying game fowl.
The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of
which, with the foregoing, will be apparent from the following description
and the drawings. It is to be understood however that the invention is not
limited to the embodiment illustrated and described since it may be
embodied in various forms within the scope of the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In terms of broad inclusion, the collapsible wheeled carrier for duck or
goose decoys comprises a generally rectangular rigid main frame having a
pair of handles extending from one end. Pivotally depending medianly from
opposite parallel main frame members are a pair of wheel assemblies, each
assembly preferably including a triangular gusset structure having a base
formed by a bearing sleeve coaxially and pivotally disposed on the
associated main frame member and at its apex being joined to a bifurcated
fork on which is rotatably journaled a wheel, such as a bicycle wheel. A
depressed bottom or auxiliary frame is rigidly suspended below the main
frame and includes a medianly positioned transversely extending rail on
opposite ends of which are provided threaded bosses. Threaded flanges
rotatably mounted on the triangular gusset adjacent its apex are adapted
to threadably engage the threaded bosses to detachably retain the pair of
wheels in parallel extended relationship with respect to each other and
with respect to the overlying main frame. To collapse the cart, the
flanges are detached from the threaded bosses, and each entire wheel
assembly may then be independently swung outwardly from the main frame, or
up and over the main frame member on which it is pivoted to place it
within the confines of the main frame and supported on the auxiliary frame
.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible wheeled carrier with its
wheels extended for use.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the wheeled
carrier laden with multiple bags containing duck decoys.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the loaded wheeled carrier shown with the
wheels rotated to overly the load.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the now unloaded wheeled carrier shown
up-side-down with the main frame lying on the ground and one wheel swung
outboard and lying in the same plane as the main frame and the other wheel
swung inboard and also lying generally in the same plane as the main
frame.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the wheel assemblies
and their relationship to the associated main frame members and the manner
of detachable securement of the wheel assemblies to the opposite ends of
the base rail member.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the threaded end of
the base rail and the rotatable flange that may be selectively engaged or
disengaged from the threaded end of the base rail.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In terms of greater detail, the collapsible wheeled carrier of the
invention may of course be utilized to transport not only duck and goose
decoys, but other items as well. The carrier is designated generally by
the numeral 2, and includes a main frame 3 having elongated side members 4
and 5, held in spaced parallel relationship by parallel end members 6 and 7
welded to the side members as shown, the side and end members all lying in
a common plane to define a generally rectangular first quadrilateral
constituting the rigid main frame. Integral extensions 8 and 9 of the side
members project axially beyond the associated end member 6 to form
convenient handles that also lie in the plane of the main frame. Handle
grips 10 and 11 are applied to the ends of the handles 8 and 9,
respectively, to facilitate gripping the handles to maneuver the carrier
as will hereinafter be explained.
Second and third quadrilateral chassis frames designated generally by the
numerals 12 and 13 are trapezoidal in their configuration, each of the
trapezoidal chassis frames 12 and 13 having a common base formed by a
transversely extending base rail 14 medianly related to the longitudinal
dimension of the main frame and spaced below the main frame approximately
eighteen inches. Integral axially aligned threaded bosses 15 and 16 are
provided on opposite ends of the transversely extending base rail 14 for a
purpose which will hereinafter be explained. The trapezoidal chassis frame
12 is spaced below the main frame, and extends longitudinally in the
direction of the handle-end of the main frame, having a transverse end
rail 17 spaced from and parallel with the base rail 14, but shorter in
length, and positioned medianly between but spaced below the side members
of the main frame as shown. Opposite ends of the transverse end rail 17
are integrally joined by elongated side rails 18 and 19 with opposite ends
of the transverse base rail 14, the union of the side rails and the base
rail being inboard of the threaded bosses 15 and 16, respectively.
It will thus be seen that the integrally joined base, end, and side rails
lie in a common plane and form a trapezoidal chassis frame 12 that is
rigidified and strengthened by transverse longitudinally spaced
cross-rails 20 and 21 welded at opposite ends to the side rails 18 and 19
as shown. Added strength and resistance to distortion stresses is provided
by a longitudinally extending medianly positioned rail 22 welded between
the base rail 14 and the transverse cross-rail 21 as shown.
The trapezoidal chassis frame 12 thus formed is integrally joined to the
handle-end of the main frame by spacer rails each integrally welded at one
end to the side rails of the chassis frame and at its opposite end welded
to the associated side member of the main frame. Thus, referring to FIG.
1, it will be seen that the opposite ends of end rail 17 are integrally
joined by spacer rails 23 and 24 to the side members 4 and 5,
respectively. It should also be noted that the spacer rails are welded to
the associated side members adjacent the end rail 6, and that the lengths
of the spacer rails are equal to each other but longer than the spacing of
the base rail 14 below the main frame. This results in the chassis rail 12
being inclined with respect to the main frame, diverging therefrom in the
direction of the handle-end of the main frame. Two additional spacer rails
25 and 26 are interposed between the side rail 18 and the side member 4,
each being relatively shorter than the previous one to compensate for the
convergence of the side rail 18 toward the side member 4. In like manner,
two relatively shorter spacer rails 27 and 28 are rigidly interposed by
welding between the side rail 19 and the side member 5 as shown.
The trapezoidal chassis frame 13 is constructed similarly to the chassis
frame 12, with the exception that it is somewhat shorter, having an end
rail 29 remote from the handle-end of the main frame, and disposed below
the main frame end member 7 an amount approximately equal to the spacing
of the end rail 17 below the associated main frame end member 6. Opposite
ends of the end rail 29 are joined integrally by spacer posts 30 and 31
with opposite corners, respectively, of the main frame associated with the
main frame end member 7 as shown. Like the end rail 17, the end rail 29 is
shorter than the associated main frame end member 7, and is medianly
disposed with respect thereto and spaced below the end member 7 a
predetermined distance, about ten inches, thus causing the chassis frame
13 to diverge in relation to the main frame from the base rail 14 toward
the end member 7 and the end rail 29.
The trapezoidal configuration of this chassis frame 13 is completed by the
integral interposition of side rails 32 and 33 between opposite ends of
the base rail 14 and the opposite ends of the end rail 29. In the same
manner that the side rails 18 and 19 of the chassis frame 12 converge
toward the end rail 17, the side rails 32 and 33 of the chassis frame 13
converge toward each other in the direction of the associated end rail 29
while diverging from the main frame. For added stability and rigidity, an
intermediate spacer rail 34 integrally joins the midpoint of the end rail
29 with the midpoint of the end member 7 as shown. Added rigidity and
strength is provided by intermediate side spacer rails 35 and 36 joining,
respectively, the associated side members 4 and 5. A horizontal cross-rail
37 extends transversely of the chassis frame parallel to the end rail 29
and the base rail 14, and integrally joins at opposite ends with side
rails 32 and 33.
It will thus be apparent that the carrier of the invention includes a
quadrilateral main frame in the form of an elongated rectangular
perimeter, joined integrally by two quadrilateral chassis frames each of
which is formed in a trapezoidal configuration, with the two chassis
frames sharing a commong base member or rail and each converging away from
the common base, and diverging from the associated end portion of the main
frame. The two conjoined chassis frames thus form a bottom frame structure
for the carrier that slopes from the base rail 14 toward opposite ends of
the carrier frame.
To provide rolling mobility to the carrier frame thus formed and described,
a pair of wheel assemblies designated generally by the numerals 38 and 39
are provided. As shown, each wheel assembly is attached permanently but
pivotally to the main frame, and selectively attachable or detachable in
relation to the bottom frame structure of the carrier, and specifically
the base rail 14.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, each wheel assembly includes an elongated
bearing sleeve 40 pivotally mounted concentrically on an associated side
member of the main frame and restrained against axial displacement by
abutment members 41 and 42 associated adjacent opposite ends of the
bearing sleeve and welded or otherwise secured permanently to the
associated side member. Welded to each bearing sleeve is a generally
triangular gusset structure designated generally by the numeral 43 and
including a pair of converging strengthening ribs 44 and 45 and an
intermediate rib 46, the gusset structure 43 converging to an apex 47.
Additional strength is provided the gusset structure by plates 48 and 49
welded between the converging ribs and the bearing sleeve 40 as shown.
Welded to the apexes of the gusset structures of the wheel asemblies 38 and
39 are wheel-receiving forks 50 and 51, respectively. The forks 50 and 51
detachably accommodate wheels 52 and 53, respectively, in the nature of
bicycle wheels, the wheel axles being detachably secured to the lower ends
of the forks by appropriate nuts, and the wheels being provided with
appropriate pneumatic tires 54 and 55, respectively.
From the above it will be apparent that each wheel assembly 38 and 39 is
enabled to swing about the associated side member on which it is pivotally
mounted by the bearing sleeve 40 through an arc of approximately 270
degrees to enable arrangement in the extended condition of use illustrated
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, in which the wheel assemblies are detachably secured
to opposite ends of the base rail 14 as will hereinafter be explained, or
detached and swung into the condition of collapsed disuse as illustrated
in FIGS. 3 and 4.
To detachably lock the wheel assemblies 38 and 39 in the extended position
of use illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, there is provided inboard on the
wheel assemblies, specifically, located at the apexes of the gusset
structures, rotatable threaded flanges 56 and 57, the internal threads of
which engage the external threads of the threaded bosses 15 and 16,
respectively. This detachable coupling is illustrated in detail in FIG. 6.
It will be readily apparent that this detachable coupling may be assembled
without the use of tools, it requiring only finger pressure to securely
join the two parts of each coupling. In like manner, it requires only
finger pressure to disassemble the coupling so as to enable pivotal
repositioning of the wheel assemblies through about 120 degrees into the
attitude illustrated in FIG. 3, which is particularly advantageous for
carrying the loaded carrier on the rooftop of a transporting vehicle, or
into the attitude illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein one of the wheel
assemblies has been swung outwardly from the main frame approximately 90
degrees and lies generally in the same plane as the main frame, while the
other wheel assembly has been swung inwardly approximately 270 degrees to
lie within the frame of the carrier. In this position, it will be
understood that the wheeled carrier may be covered with grass when used in
a field, or may be submerged in a body of water, in both instances
rendering the wheeled carrier more difficult to see by overflying game
fowl.
When carried on a rooftop of a vehicle, it is advantageous if selected rail
members of the chassis frames be provided with protective padding in the
form of cylindrical cushion material 58. Here, such cushion material is
shown applied to the side rails 32 and 33 of the chassis frame 13, to the
base rail 14, and to the end rail 17 of the chassis frame 12. The cushion
material is preferably moisture impervious synthetic resinous material,
such as closed-cell polyurethane, or an equivalent material that is
abrasion resistant.
In use, the collapsible wheeled carrier of the invention is arranged in the
attitude illustrated in FIG. 1 and then loaded with multiple bags of decoys
as shown in FIG. 2. The loaded carrier may then easily be wheeled to the
rear end of a vehicle, such as an automobile or stationwagon or pickup
truck, and the end rail 29 of the chassis frame 13 propped against the
rooftop of the vehicle or the tailgate or bed of the pickup truck. In this
attitude, the grip ends of the handles will rest on the ground. The
threaded flanges 56 and 57 are then released from the threaded bosses and
the wheel assemblies are swung upwardly over the load of decoys into the
attitude illustrated in FIG. 3, where they may be appropriately tied to
secure the collapsed wheel assemblies to the load and the load to the
carrier frame. The grip-end of the handles 8 and 9 may now be lifted to
lever the loaded carrier onto the rooftop or truck bed, sliding the loaded
carrier forward until it is properly positioned, whereupon it is tied to
the vehicle.
To off-load the loaded carrier, all that is required is that the reverse
procedure be followed, the wheels being extended and the flanges 56 and 57
engaged with the threaded bosses while the handle ends are resting on the
ground and the opposite end of the carrier frame is still propped on the
vehicle. With the wheel assemblies in extended position, the loaded
carrier frame may now be lowered until the wheels contact the ground,
whereupon the loaded carrier may be wheeled easily to a desired location
where the decoys may be distributed and the wheeled carrier collapsed and
camouflaged.
Having thus described the collapsible wheeled carrier for decoys forming
the subject matter of the invention, what is believed to be new and novel,
and sought to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as
follows.
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